The Stash List – AAA edition

Hey y’all! Happy Michael Chavis Day!  I was planning on writing up Chavis for my post on Monday but with this news, I knew it could not wait.  I’ve put together some guys tearing it up in AAA who might be on the verge of a call up. If these guys are still available in your dynasty league, go and get them now.  The following guys could pick you up some steals later in the year or be an upgrade at the catcher position in the second half of the season. All right…let’s go!

Michael Chavis INF (BOS) – You might be wondering, um, what position does Chavis play? Well…that is the thing. Chavis began playing second base this year after splitting his time in the minors at first and third.  He was drafted as a shortstop by the Red Sox in 2014. It wasn’t until 2017 that Chavis found his power stroke. In that year, he smacked 17 and 14 home runs between A+ and AA. It should be noted that the Eastern League and especially Hadlock Field, is not known home run power.  After coming back from a PED suspension in 2018, he did not miss a beat, smashing home runs wherever he went. In 2019, he has hit 4 home runs and is walking at a 14% clip, which I do not expect to continue.

On Eric and Kiley’s Red Sox list, Chavis was their #3 rated prospect, with 65 raw power and 55 game power. Chavis was called up this past Friday after Dustin Pedroia and Eduardo Nunez were placed on the Injured List.  However, I believe he will struggle with strikeouts in his initial call up so temper your expectations in a redraft league. In dynasty though, you want him on your roster. Not to many second base eligible players will give you the power he can.

Sean Murphy C (OAK) – The fantasy catching landscape is a wasteland. You know this.  I know this. Everyone knows this…but just hear me out. Sean Murphy is going be someone you want to pick up.  Murphy was number 2 on Eric and Kiley’s A’s list and for good reason. He is ELITE behind the plate with a cannon for an arm and all in all above average defensive skills.  Murphy has shown plus raw power in batting practice but the over the fence power has not translated into game power. Murphy’s power, especially playing in the Coliseum, will show up in doubles into the gap.  

He also has above average bat to ball skills and overall great eye at the plate, which will help all you OBP leaguers out there. Currently in AAA, he has a .381 AVG and .469 OBP Now while I don’t expect that, I would not be shocked to see Murphy hit around .250-.2500 but .320-.325 OBP.  Murphy is currently blocked by Josh Phegley and Nick Hundley but more importantly he is no yet on the 40 man roster. Even with that said, I believe Murphy will make his debut for the A’s this year. You should pick him of waivers in your dynasty leagues, if he is not already on someone else’s roster.

Myles Straw UTL (HOU) – There are baseball prospects and then there are fantasy baseball prospects. Starw was #17 on Eric and Kiley’s Astros list  Myles Straw is the latter and needs to be on your radar. Straw made his major league debut last year for the Astros in September. He used occasionally in the outfield but was also used as a pinch runner, where he swiped 2 bags.  

Here is where the story gets interesting. Instead of having Straw in the outfield this year, the Astros moved him to SS to gain experience. It would seem the Astros are grooming him to be Marwin Gonzalez… but with speed. Last year alone, Straw stole 70 bases between AA and AAA.  I’d pick him up now before your league mates swipe him from the waiver wire.

Cole Tucker SS (PIT) – The Pirates AAA squad have a bunch of interesting players, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Mitch Keller, Will Craig, and shortstop Cole Tucker.  Tucker was #5 on Eric and Kiley’s Pirates list. He is an excellent defender with a cannon for an arm. Pirates fans will be in for a treat when both Tucker and Hayes are manning the left side of the infield in PNC.  Surprising, he swiped 35 bases last year.

He has continued to run with five bags so far in the minor league season. He might also be finding his man strength. His 2 home runs and 5 doubles in 12 games has him sitting with a .208 ISO.  The Pirates currently have Erik Gonzalez at short and I don’t think he will stop Tucker from debuting some time in the second half of the year.